Pair among 650 to get Scout Award

David Sedgwick

Two Scouts have been honoured for their outstanding personal achievement.

Mick Blewitt and Stu Bennett, both from Seaton Delaval, received a Queen’s Scout Award at a special ceremony held at Windsor Castle.

The pair were presented with the awards – the highest honour in Scouting and given for outstanding personal achievement – by Chief Scout Bear Grylls and Prince Michael of Kent.

The honour is achieved by young people aged between 16 and 25 who have completed a range of challenges, which includes service to their community, completing an expedition in wild country, undertaking a five-day residential project in an unfamiliar environment and learning a new skill or developing an existing talent.

Mick, 24, and Stu, 23, were among more than 650 new Queen’s Scouts, including 12 other Scouts from Morpeth, Newcastle and Heaton.

Mick said: “Having been a part of Scouting since I was six years- old, it was a fantastic feeling to be standing with so many other Scouts from across the UK who had achieved the award.

“To complete the award I had to complete a range of challenges and goals, the most rewarding was giving something back to my local community by volunteering at my local community centre.

“The five-day expedition in the Yorkshire Dales was also a highlight.

“Even thought it was really hard work, the sense of achievement from the whole team afterwards was amazing.”

Bear Grylls said: “All these young people have lived the adventure of a lifetime to achieve their Queen’s Scout Awards, and I admire that spirit so much.

“They are huge inspirations to over half a million Scouts in the UK and I am so pleased that Scouting has honoured them today. They are amazing.”